They are: Can Could MayMight Must Shall NeedShould Will Would
Ought to
They are Auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific
meaning to the main verb of the sentence
You mustnt skate hereModal verbs are sometimes referred to as
Modal
Auxiliary verbs because they help other verbs
How do we use modals?
They do not accept conjugationThey do not need other auxiliary
verbs
Form
There is no s in singularThere is no do / does in the
questionThere is no dont / doesnt in the negative
He can ski He cans ski or He can skisWould you like to come with
me?Do you would like to come with me?They cant be serious
They dont can be serious
Modal verbs do not have infinitives or ing formsto can / caning
to must /musting
Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without toShe must
studyWe should have gone the other wayHe could play football in his
youth (general ability)
Modal verbs do not have all the tensesModal verbs use other
verbs to complete the tenses
Can is completed with be able toMust is completed with have
to
They can play the piano They will be able to play the piano in
the futureYou had to come early yesterdayYou must come early
What do they express?
They can have more than one meaning depending on the situations
Possible meanings: obligation, permission, ability, prediction,
advice,..
